Compiler-Controlled LINK Options

The CL compiler automatically calls LINK unless you specify the /c option. CL provides some control over the linker through command-line options and arguments. The following table summarizes the features in CL that affect linking.

CL specification

CL action that affects LINK

Any file name extension other than .c, .cxx, .cpp, or .def

Passes a file name as input to LINK

filename.def

Passes /DEF:filename.def

/Fnumber

Passes /STACK:number

/Fdfilename

Passes /PDB:filename

/Fefilename

Passes /OUT:filename

/Fmfilename

Passes /MAP:filename

/Gy

Creates packaged functions (COMDATs); enables function-level linking

/LD

Passes /DLL

/LDd

Passes /DLL

/link

Passes remainder of command line to LINK

/MD or /MT

Places a default library name in the .obj file

/MDd or /MTd

Places a default library name in the .obj file. Defines the symbol _DEBUG